The family of Stephen Munyakho, a Kenyan on death row in Saudia Arabia is yet to receive funds for his release.
The family spoke following media reports that one of the institutional benefactors paid the balance of Ksh 2.9 million of the Ksh 3.5 million Saudi riyals blood money set by the court as a condition for his release.
“If accurate, this information will be an answered prayer for the many well-wishers supporting the Save Stevo Campaign,” the family said through a statement.
“However, we have yet to receive an official communication as a committee. We have contacted government officials in Kenya and Saudi Arabia and will notify the public of the latest developments.”
This follows after United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Hassan Omar said that Muslim World League paid over Ksh 129 million for the release of a Kenyan facing death sentence in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking on Tuesday night during the State Iftar dinner hosted by President William Ruto at State House, the UDA SG said the Muslim World League paid off one million dollars to facilitate the return of Stephen Munyakho.
Omar said the request for the release of Munyakho popularly known as Stevo has been honored and the Saudi Arabian ambassador to Kenya and Kenya’s ambassador in Saudi Arabia have confirmed.
Omar at the same time warned Kenyans abroad to familiarize themselves with host countries’ laws to avoid running afoul of them.
Stevo, the eldest son of veteran journalist Dorothy Kweyu was convicted of manslaughter in October 2012, a sentence that was overturned by a Shariah court, enhancing it to murder.
He has been incarcerated for the past 13 years and, as of yesterday, is still being held in Dhaban prison, Jeddah.
